On the face of it, the decision of Michael Vick's high school to remove his jersey from the school's display case seems to be a no-brainer. Vick, who has pleaded guilty to federal charges connected to a dogfighting ring operating at his Virginia home, hardly seems deserving of the honor.

But as seemingly increasing numbers of athletes get entangled with the law, schools may have to figure out what the threshold is for bestowing honors on former players who get arrested or worse.

Better yet, how should schools proceed when stars who bring glory and attention to their alma maters, as well as sizable donations of cash and/or goods, get into either legal or moral trouble?

The name and number of Shawne Merriman, the San Diego Chargers linebacker who drew a four-game suspension last year from the NFL for the use of an illegal substance, is attached to the scoreboard at the football stadium at Douglass High in Upper Marlboro. Do you think school officials haven't considered what example they're setting by leaving Merriman's number and name in such a prominent place? Think they should?